Rangers could claim the Third Division title on Saturday if they defeat Stirling and Queen's Park do not win at Annan. However, if a restructure goes ahead, they will play in the same division as their nine Third Division opponents again next term in an 18-team competition.

McCoist is adamant that the club deserve to playing in the second tier next season should they earn promotion.

"Scottish football's in a sorry state so we have to do what's best for the benefit of the game. Stranraer won the bottom tier in 1994 and were promoted two divisions due to reconstruction," McCoist told Rangers TV.

"In our eyes, if 12-12-18 is implemented and we are in the 18 then I don't see us getting promotion. The argument would be that we would be in the third tier but I don't buy that because every other team in the league would be getting promotion with us.

"I don't think that is fair - especially when a precedent has been set. Stranraer won the bottom tier in 1994 and were promoted two divisions due to reconstruction. All we have ever wanted is fairness and if the precedent has been set then we imagine that it should be applied again."

Scottish Premier League clubs will vote on a reshuffle to the league system on April 15, with 11 votes needed for a move to two top leagues of 12, which would split into three leagues of eight halfway through the season.

McCoist believes promoting Rangers to Division One would have a positive effect on Scottish football.

"Dunfermline are clearly in trouble just now, Hearts have troubles too and we have obviously had our well-documented problems so we must do something that is mutually beneficial to Scottish football," he said. "If moving us into the second 12 means that there will be such a benefit then surely it has to happen."